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Lonely People’s Divergent Thought Processes May Contribute to Feeling Alone in a Crowded Room

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Summary

Lonely people’s neural responses differ from their less lonely peers, suggesting lonely people may see the world differently from those around them, even if they have a large social network, and this may contribute to feeling lonely.

Source: APS

Common wisdom suggests that a core difference between solitude and loneliness is choice. Whereas a person who appreciates solitude might choose to enjoy a quiet night in or a solo trip abroad, a lonely person may feel disconnected from other people even in a crowded room.

Research to be published in Psychological Science supports this notion, suggesting that lonely people may think differently regardless of the size of their social networks.

Lead author Elisa C. Baek’s study showed that lonely individuals’ neural responses differ from those of other people, suggesting that “seeing the world differently than those around you may be a risk factor for loneliness, even if you regularly socialize with them.”

The researchers came to this conclusion by comparing the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans of 63 first-year university students. During each 90-minute scan, participants viewed 14 engaging video clips in the same order. After the scan, they self-reported their feelings of social connection using the UCLA Loneliness Scale.

When the researchers compared these participants’ scans, they found that the brain activity of lonely participants was very dissimilar to that of both nonlonely participants and other lonely participants. By comparison, the brain activity of nonlonely participants was similar to that of other nonlonely participants, especially in the default-mode network and in the reward-processing areas of the brain.

These findings remained significant even when the researchers controlled for demographic characteristics and the size of participants’ social networks.

“Lonely people process the world idiosyncratically, which may contribute to the reduced sense of being understood that often accompanies loneliness,” the researchers explained.

Additional research is needed in order to determine the underlying cause of these results. Learning more about how lonely people think, and how to promote shared understanding, could help identify new pathways for reducing loneliness.

Personal Opinion

As a psychiatrist, these findings highlight the importance of understanding the unique neural differences and thought processes of lonely individuals. By recognizing these differences, mental health professionals can better tailor interventions to help promote shared understanding and ultimately reduce feelings of loneliness in our patients.



Dr Theodore James Wilson, MD, Cure of Mind

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This document was last updated on August 27, 2023

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Introduction:

The purpose of this form is to provide you with information about psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, and medical counseling and to obtain your consent to participate in these treatments. These services involve professional relationships between you and your therapist, nutritionist, and medical doctor to address your emotional, nutritional, and medical needs. This form is intended to give you information that will help you make an informed decision about whether or not to engage in these treatments.

Therapist Qualifications:

Your therapist is a licensed mental health professional who has completed an advanced degree in psychology or a related field and has been trained to provide psychotherapy. Your nutritionist and medical doctor are also licensed professionals with expertise in their respective fields. They are committed to providing you with the highest quality of care possible.

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Your therapist will use a variety of treatment methods in psychotherapy, including talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness techniques, or other approaches. Your nutritionist will provide nutritional education, create personalized meal plans, and offer guidance on making healthy food choices. Your medical doctor will assess your medical history, perform necessary examinations, refer you for lab tests and recommend appropriate medical treatments.

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Psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, and medical counseling can be beneficial in various ways, such as improving your emotional well-being, enhancing your nutrition, and promoting better physical health. However, there are also some risks associated with these treatments. Risks may include experiencing uncomfortable emotions during therapy, potential changes in your relationships, and the possibility of addressing challenging nutritional or medical issues.

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